I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Beautiful car. Looks like it came from the show room.

Thanks and it drives like it! The power steering is absolutely perfect. Handles great. The Muncie shifter shifts perfectly. My inspector who looked at the car on my behalf was very impressed and even jealous on how well the transmission shifted. The clock and all fiber optics are WORKING! The manual brakes (haha) I don't need to tell you how well they work. I have already decided I need to practice in a large empty mall parking lot on using the brakes. It stops like a Amtrak train. I spoke to my mechanic and he feels that they are performing as they should and if I wanted to improve then I can add power steering. At this time, I am a NO GO for adding power steering. I like to keep her power options the way she came from the factory and not add any that aren't there. Manual brakes keeps you awake while driving doesn't it? LOL

[Michael G.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Marc, be sure to do some research in the archives on radio installation. It is no "walk in the park" with these C3s and you can easily cause damage to console if not careful. There are several tricks to being successful and you will find them here.

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Marc, be sure to do some research in the archives on radio installation. It is no "walk in the park" with these C3s and you can easily cause damage to console if not careful. There are several tricks to being successful and you will find them here.

Oh research as been completed....I will end up being an ORG (observer radio guy). No way I will attempt such a delicate procedure with ZERO experience. I will watch and learn the first time. Not for me to do. I rather watch this one when the time comes.

[Rich G.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Beautiful car. Congratulations. I have those tires on my 68. I put them on to replace the repro red line nylon tires that were like driving on roller blades. I like the tires. Welcome to NCRS.

[Dan D.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Marc,Definitely a wise choice. About 25 years ago I took out the AM/FM stereo radio out of my '72 and put in a tape player. I also put I in new speakers. The radio was one that required no dash alterations. As I remember, it was a pain in the butt, squared. It seems I had the whole dash apart; I even had to loosen the steering column. Now I want to put the original radio back in. I don't care what it costs, I'm too old and my fingers don't work that well and I'll never go through that again.I found mine in 1985 and I still remember the feeling. Good luck and enjoy your car in good health.Dan

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Thanks D Dicio!!!! Fortunately there are a lot of talented corvette people in my area. I have already spoke to some who have told me it can be done by someone who has experience. They said focus on seeing if the radio is even a working unit. I am told it could simply be hooked up to some speakers and tested. If it doesn't work it can always be sent out and repaired. Heck, even if it could not be repaired (which it can) I still think I would prefer it in my car not working than the working one in it. I like to listen to the sounds of the LS5 motor anyway. Who wants to listen to music from a box? haha The best music comes from under the hood.

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

from one LS5 owner to another, congrats.

Awesome! Thank you so much! I been waiting a long long time for one. My original plan years ago
was for a 454 but I opened it up to LT-1s. LT-1 is an amazing car as well but my heart was set on a big
block car and now I have one!

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

When I bought the car and officially completed the sale I totally went bonkers and started ordering all sorts of accessories for the car. Since my goal for now is to enjoy the car and show it (eg. Sportsman and local events) I thought I would get some P02s for her. When I found out how easy it is to change the trim and rings out for the P02s I had to have them. I think they LOOK great on these cars, especially the big blocks. It is a personal preference. Some love them and some hate them. It isn't like I am painting my original 1971 973 paint to SPEC Tuxedo Black. I want to have a little excitement with the car and really dress her up without doing significant irreversible harm. I picked these up for around $175 bucks and that is for ALL four of these. Are they perfect right off the shelf? No but they are VERY VERY nice and since I will be driving the car they are perfect for what I want to use them for. I hope others here like P02s as much as I do. I plan to have them on when I go to Kissimmee.

I did my own polishing of these. Not bad for an amateur here.

[Jeff P.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Good luck Mark. My 68 radio is at Jerry Rudbecks now being restored. I heard he is the best. Also, here is a picture of my convector. I bet yours is still behind the lower dash unit.

[Michael J.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

When I bought the car and officially completed the sale I totally went bonkers and started ordering all sorts of accessories for the car. Since my goal for now is to enjoy the car and show it (eg. Sportsman and local events) I thought I would get some P02s for her. When I found out how easy it is to change the trim and rings out for the P02s I had to have them. I think they LOOK great on these cars, especially the big blocks. It is a personal preference. Some love them and some hate them. It isn't like I am painting my original 1971 973 paint to SPEC Tuxedo Black. I want to have a little excitement with the car and really dress her up without doing significant irreversible harm. I picked these up for around $175 bucks and that is for ALL four of these. Are they perfect right off the shelf? No but they are VERY VERY nice and since I will be driving the car they are perfect for what I want to use them for. I hope others here like P02s as much as I do. I plan to have them on when I go to Kissimmee.

I did my own polishing of these. Not bad for an amateur here.

The PO2 are beautiful, but very heavy. I have heard some had problems with balancing the wheels after putting the PO2s on, especially older sets. My friends said they found a shop that would balance the wheels with the PO2s on, and that solved the problem. Good luck!

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

You are right about being very heavy. The box felt like it weighed a ton when they arrived! The car absolutely rides great with the trim and rings attached to the rally wheels. I will see how it rides with the P02s on and if I sniff any changes I will have the balancing of the wheels looked into. Thanks! Good to know.

[Ara G.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

I swear we need more enthusiasm like this guys in the organization... Congrat's on the gorgeous car...I attend Kissimmee each year, so I look forward to meeting you and the car down there. Look me up....I will be buy the C2's.....ARA

[Michael J.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

I swear we need more enthusiasm like this guys in the organization...

True, I remember buying my first old 'Vette, a '66, and getting involved with NCRS, and being the same way. Then the reality of the judging wars sets in, and the long grind starts. Best to step back from time to time, look at the whole experience and enjoy enthusiastic people for some perspective on the whole thing.

[Marc S.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

I am very enthusiastic and believe me I have heard the Great, The Good, The Ugly. I am a member of another forum and the NCRS is discussed. Simply put you have to know what you are getting into, just as I did for finding my 1971. It was a very painful search but in the end I am totally happy with the result. It wasn't all that bad as I have owned late model corvettes and currently own a 2008 triple black convertible corvette to enjoy as I was on my lengthy search. I have been greeted with nothing but happy comments both here an via emails. Many folks have helped me behind the scenes. One gentleman who is on the forum assisted me often behind the scenes. Another member who saw my thread today sent me an email giving me advice to look for items I may find at the event and to purchase them in the event I decide to try judging the car later. I think this is way too cool. Right now I just want to enjoy the car and show it at the event. I want to see what the NCRS is all about. Some have recommended me to jump right in to Observer Judging. Others have said wait and just explore the surroundings? I am a go getter. I think I am going to jump right in. That is the best way to learn, that being getting involvied. I now have my registration and insurance complete and just printed out the NCRS registration form from my chapter. Going to fill it out. I will keep you updated.

[Thomas H.]

Re: I finally found my 1971 Corvette!

Marc,

Welcome to the 71 LS5 club! I don't get to drive mine much, but when I do, it is a blast. Gets a little hot inside during the summer without AC, but it sure is fun to drive.

Take your time and soak in as much info about the car as you can, especially at the NCRS events.

I'm a big fan of blue cars, but I think the early sharks look great in red. If I ever get another one, I'll be looking for a red one.

Enjoy!

Tom